University of Saskatchewan is facing the possibility of a labour disruption

Dear Colleagues,

As you may be aware, the University of Saskatchewan is facing the possibility of a labour disruption in the coming weeks. Mediation between the university and CUPE 1975, representing support staff in a wide variety of roles across campus, recently concluded and the parties are now working with the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board with regards to essential services in the event of job action. Updates regarding this situation can be found at working.usask.ca. While the university is working to avoid job action, it is important that we inform you of how potential job action would impact our college.

CUPE 1975 represents all registered veterinary technologists (RVTs), animal attendants, administrative assistants and reception staff at the Veterinary Medical Centre and throughout the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. If some type of job action, like a strike, takes place, it will likely affect our veterinary teaching hospital’s operations. We have been engaged in contingency planning for some time now. Our focus is on how we can best maintain fourth-year clinical rotations in the veterinary teaching hospital and continue some (but likely reduced) services in the Small and Large Animal Clinics, and in Field Service (Food Animal and Equine) if there is job action on campus.

Our ability to provide services to our clients and to our referring veterinarians will likely be reduced. Once essential services are established, we will be able to provide you with a better idea of which services will be affected. If it becomes certain that job action will take place, we will reach out to you immediately to outline any reductions in services and hours of operation. Please keep in mind that we will likely only have 48 hours’ notice of planned job action.

It is our hope that the university and CUPE 1975 will reach an agreement. We will continue to provide you with updates as often as we can. We appreciate your understanding, and please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at the phone number or email address below.